Buckling In Marilyn
Last night we taxi’d in with VIP’s for a corporate event at the Palm Springs Air Museum in the C-47. We even had Marilyn Monroe on board! I got to buckle her in too. We do a lot of corporate events.
Mojave Air And Space Port
Quick trip the other day to Mojave. Made even quicker in the Palm Springs Air Museum T-28 Trojan.
Journey To Royal Screening
Please join us at the Palm Springs Air Museum for an exciting Workprint Test Screening of the World War II docudrama, JOURNEY TO ROYAL followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers, on Saturday, October 19, 2019 from 1:00pm to 3:30pm.
The film tells the extraordinary true story of Lt. Royal Stratton and the 4th Emergency Rescue Squadron who, over the seas on an embattled South Pacific, flew over 800 rescue missions to save the lives of 576 men.
Over the last decade, the filmmakers have traveled the world locating and interviewing the surviving members of the Squadron, as well as other WWII veterans, who share their firsthand accounts of some of the most pivotal and consequential events of that War. Their goal is to preserve the values of, and celebrate the contributions made by, the Greatest Generation.
Producer Mariana Tosca and writer-director Chris Johnson will be doing a Q&A after the screening for anyone interested in giving audience feedback or learning more about the making of the movie. Thank You!
Cobra Helicopter
Much fun this weekend with the Cobra attack helicopter flying riders at the Palm Springs Air Museum. From the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation. And yes I have flown in it too. An outstanding experience!
USAF Thunderbirds At Reno
Just over a week ago at the Reno Air Races. The United States Air Force Thunderbirds brought incredible excitement and aerial precision. Daily their lengthy demonstrations roared over the crowd demanding unwavering attention. Although I shot plenty of photographs, sometimes I would just watch in awe. It was simply breathtaking!
Mustang Around The Pylons At Reno
Some more from the Reno Air Races just over a week ago. The Palm Springs Air Museum P-51 Mustang “Bunny” from start up to shut down around the pylons. GoPro video with some really great light makes it seem like you are right in the cockpit. That is me int he black t-shirt doing the start-up and sending it out. I do more than just photography although you can see my camera having on my back. It is a Fujifilm X-T3 and 100-400mm lens. One of the reasons I avoid carrying a lot of gear, too much going on.
Around The Pylons In A P-63
Another installment from only a week ago with the crew of the Palm Springs Air Museum at the Reno Air Races. This is really special… the aircraft is the World War II P-63 Kingcobra “Pretty Polly”. There are perhaps four Kingcobras still flying. No passengers are allowed in aircraft during racing but this is a single seat aircraft anyway. I do get to fly and photograph from many other aircraft.
So this was a place for GoPro. Mounted to the side of the pilot’s flight helmet, you get a perspective of his line of sight from instruments to outside flying past the pylons. It really is just like being there. Turn up your sound too!
I Was At The Reno Air Races
I have been absent here while I was at the Reno Air Races, doing most of my blogging on some of my own social media but mostly for the Palm Springs Air Museum, where I am also social media manager and photographer. I also work in flight operations and do get to fly in some very special aircraft.
So backing up some and working my way forward, I departed to the Reno Air Races on September 6th in a World War II P-51 Mustang “Lady Alice” as a flight of two with another P-51 “Wee Willy”. No question this was a pretty exciting way of getting places. Arrived in Reno 90 minutes later.
The National Championship Air Races in Reno is the most prestigious race in the fastest motorsport in the world. And this is the 3rd year I have been a crew member and photographer with the Palm Springs Air Museum race team.
Keep coming back for more posts from Reno. Thanks!
Memorial Service For A Great Man
The Memorial Service at the Palm Springs Air Museum for a great man, Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Robert Friend. I am so very honored to have been part of planning, the flight operations, photographer, writing the story; and even more so, knowing him.
Personal big Thank You to the people who I reached out to help on the photography side things. It was too much and too important for just one person. Thank You to Rick Rowell and Ian Glover. And a huge Thank You to Scott Plummer and Lisa Plummer for their incredible video coverage and photography. Truly Thank You!
Over 9,000
Thank You “Chatting With Sherri” on BlogTalkRadio. Just found out we had over 9,000 live listeners. I always knew my photos look best on radio! It will be fun to see how many replays there are over the next few weeks. Thanks! Here is the link if you want to check it out… http://tobtr.com/11455871
I Flew In The Cobra!
This was a first for me. At the “Wings Over Camarillo” airshow earlier this month I had the opportunity to fly in the front seat of this Vietnam War era Cobra Gunship. Wow I must say! Things that surprised me… much smoother than I expected, really comfortable seating with lots of room, and great air-conditioning! And yes I got some flying time too!
This was the Cobra as it landed at Camarillo after I arrived in the C-47 “What’s Up Doc?” from the Palm Springs Air Museum. Just grabbed my iPhone just in time.
You can also fly in the Cobra. It will be at the Palm Springs Air Museum on September 28th & 29th (2019). Check it out on the Air Museum Facebook Events page or call the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation directly for more information and to make a reservation. This will book up really fast for sure. So do it now! Have Fun! I will be there too. Thanks! Call 480-217-1635.
I Never Thought I Would
A feature I never thought I would use but now I have and I love it! Wirelessly transferring photos from my Fujifilm X-Series cameras to my iPhone or iPad.
At the “Wings Over Camarillo” airshow with the Palm Springs Air Museum. I am the Museum photographer and also Social Media Manager. Shooting the show opening USAF skydiving with my X-T3 and 100-400 lens, I knew I had beautiful shots but how to get one up on Social Media on the spot.
I had already paired my X-T3 with my iPhone using the Fujifilm Cam Remote app. I selected one of the photos and instantly transferred it to my phone. It was beautiful as shot. Within moments I had it on the Air Museum Instagram where it was an instant hit. Another Fujifilm X-Series feature that has made my life easier.
This is the exact photo, except I did add my logo in Photoshop for display here. However no other editing.
The MiG-17 and the Fujifilm X-T3
I just returned from the weekend at the “Wings Over Camarillo” airshow. Making for huge crowd excitement was my friend, pilot Jason Somes in his newly acquired MiG-17. Going past the crowd, down on the deck, at speeds I will only confirm were below the sound barrier.
A great test for any camera, photographers were kind of just giving up in frustration trying to get the MiG in the frame at that speed so close and getting a sharp photograph. Well my Fujifilm X-T3 with the Fujifilm 100-400mm F4.5-5.6R LM OIS WR lens did the job.
Bunny Looking Good
Shooting this morning for the Palm Springs Air Museum. A flight of ” Bunny” the P-51 Mustang dedicated to the “Red Tails” of the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. The actual “Bunny” was flown by Lt. Col. Robert J “Bob” Friend (February 29, 1920 – June 21, 2019).
Photographed with my FujiFilm X-T3 and XF100-400 lens. Pilot Tom Nightingale.
GoPro Goes
GoPro goes when I can’t go. Two reasons for that here… the P-63 is a one seat airplane, and passengers are not allowed in the races.
This is a rare sight indeed! The Palm Springs Air Museum P-63 Kingcobra “Pretty Polly” flying the pylons at the Reno Air Races 2018. Turn on your sound! When our P-63 is in the air you can be sure it is likely the only P-63 in the air in the world.
My Watch Raced At Reno
Looking a little beat up now. But it has the distinction of flying the finals of the Reno Air Races 2017, Unlimited Class, in the Palm Springs Air Museum P-51 Mustang “Bunny”. Back on my wrist it has done a lot of flying ever since. But for that race it was on the wrist of pilot Tom Nightingale who borrowed it from me.
T-33 Beauty In Flight
There is beauty in flight. The Palm Springs Air Museum Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star. A truly wonderful video production by ParkAir Vision. Pilot Michael Pfleger, myself in the backseat. July 4, 2019.
Honoring Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Bob Friend (February 29, 1920 – June 21, 2019), our T-33 will appear at the upcoming Reno Air Races. Please join with us in honoring the Colonel and there are some fun perks for helping us out. We do need you! Thanks and click here… https://igg.me/at/PSAMReno2019
Shooting from the backseat of the T-33. I was using my Fujifilm X-H1 and 50-140 lens. Mounted on the left and right canopy rail, I had a GoPro Hero6 Black.
Westworld Season 3
I can say something now because the trailer has been released. The HBO series Westworld Season 3. I was there on location with the Palm Springs Air Museum C-47 for the shooting of one of the episodes. Season 3 looks very intriguing!
We have many different aircraft available for productions, commercial and entertainment. Also 100,000 sq ft of aircraft hangars, all air-conditioned. Sponsorship opportunities coming up with us racing at the prestigious Reno Air Races. Even some great perks with our crowdfunding at https://igg.me/at/PSAMReno2019
Any questions just let me know!
Ian L. Sitren
Ian@PalmSpringsAirMuseum.org
213-712-1929 cellphone & text
That Is Me
That is me. I get to do some really cool stuff. Here with the Palm Springs Air Museum to take off for a multi-aircraft video and photo shoot. My cameras of choice here; Fujifilm X-T3 with a Fujifilm 50-140 2.8 lens. It is on the strongest camera strap made and made for aviation, from Vulture Equipment Works. And a GoPro mounted inside on the left and right canopy rail. (Thanks to fellow photographer Ian Glover for the photo).
Always Exciting From The Cockpit
Always exciting from the cockpit! However no passengers going around the pylons at the Reno Air Races, so I have to do it with GoPro. This was a GoPro Hero6 Black. Here in the Palm Springs Air Museum P-51 Mustang “Bunny”.
As a favor to me, I am asking all of my friends to visit our crowdfunding page and help out. There are some fun perks and even some courtesy of Fujifilm. Thanks! https://igg.me/at/PSAMReno2019
Flying For The 75th Anniversary Of D-Day
Flying for the 75th Anniversary of D-Day with the Palm Springs Air Museum on the C-47 “What’s Up Doc?”. With Marjorie Snell; her husband 101st Airborne Paratrooper Francis “Russell” Snell was there on D-Day at Normandy for the Allied Invasion of Europe, June 6, 1944.
